An award-winning businessman, who left investment banking to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, shared his experience and expertise with students at a Suffolk school.

Chief executive and founder of Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA), Derek Browne was the guest of honour at Woodbridge School’s annual speech day celebration.

Mr Browne, who won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2006 and mentored fifteen graduates from Jamie Oliver’s Channel 4 series, Jamie’s Chef, shared his own recipes for success in starting up a business, along with his passion for sport and achievements as a former international triple jumper.

The event celebrated the school’s recent academic and extra-curricular achievements in theatre, sports, music, debating and volunteering, with prizes also awarded for individual students who performed exceptionally well in GCSE and A-level exams.

Woodbridge School recorded its best A-level results in over a decade this summer with 87% of students achieving A*-C grades and more that a quarter securing at least three A or A* grades. Meanwhile, 92% of GCSE pupils achieved at least five A*-C grades including English and maths.

Reflecting on his first year as headtecher, Neil Tetley said: “I am incredibly proud of the outstanding academic and individual achievements the students at Woodbridge School have made during the past year.

“My first year as headteacher at Woodbridge School has been a fantastic experience. I have been impressed with everything I have seen and I am very much looking forward to the opportunities for success that this new academic year brings.”